Cass, WV & White Pass and Yukon boneyards

[M636C]

The White Pass and Yukon locomotive is yet another US Army standard locomotive, a 2-8-2 designed for use on narrow gauge mainly 3'6" and metre gauge. Hundreds of these were built. One remains preserved in working order in Australia on the 3'6" gauge in Queensland.

 M636C

[oldline1]

The rod engine at Cass is indeed an S-160 class USATC engine. This one was #612 used last at Ft.Eustis, VA and sold or donated to Cass in 1972. Alco, Baldwin and Lima (later B-L-H)  built them during the WWII years for use in Europe. I believe there were 2,100 of them produced. They were fairly simple machines and generally gave good service. The drivers weren't really that large at 56" or 57". They give the impression of being large due to the very compact size of the loco itself. They were kept small with low cabs for the European loading gauge and clearances then in effect.

One of the very last S-160's built is the #610 at the TVRM. It's a 1952 BLH version. She was used at Ft.Eustis along with the 612. The #1702 at the GSMRR is also an S-160.

Roger

[Alco83]

Joe,

If I'm not mistaken, I believe all of these locomotives are owned by the State of West Virginia.  A few of those Alcos are ex-South Branch Valley RR, which were placed there after the state-owned freight carrier parked them in favor of Geeps and SDs, http://www.thedieselshop.us/SBranchVal.HTML.  As to their future, it doesn't look good, I don't think any of the locomotives on the dead line are planned for any type of use or restoration.  

[joseph2]

Two years ago a couple hundred feet from the Cass deadline was another "deadline".On it were two Alco Military Diesels and  pair of S-2's  all vandalized. Who owns them and what might become of them ?  Thanks for any answers.  Joe

[Alco83]

It would be interesting to know what is ever to come about of Cass's dead line with so many historic diesels stored there.  I suppose they will forever be left there to rust away....

[arkansasrailfan]

the US Army engine was easy for me to tell because of the tender, boiler, and driving wheels. The tender is always very short with caboose or frieght car trucks. The boiler is straight, and it has sort of a european look to it with the tall driving wheels. Since the Army engine is missing it's smokebox door, i'll add that the headlight was on top of the smokebox. The Army engines very distinctive, and to tell who built them, you would have to look at the builder's plate. Alco, Lima, and Baldwin built a few thousand of these.

[Lost World]

Your Cass photo didn't come up, but if it's a derelict shay it would be #7, which was taken out of service in the early 70's with boiler cracks.  It's been ripped for parts and will never return to service, despite claims from the overly optimistic.

OK, now the Cass pics are up.  Obviously shay 7.  The rod engine is a "GI" consolidation, produced by the hundreds during WWII for service overseas.  That particular one is a Baldwin, not sure of year built.  Used by the army at Ft. Eustis VA on their training railroad.  Donated to Cass in 1972, but has never been run or restored.

[081552]

I like to see what's in the back shop when visiting railroads. Shown below are boneyard pictures from Cass and the White Pass and Yukon. The Cass Shay photo was taken last summer and the White Pass and Yukon locomotive #195 was taken a few weeks ago. I'm sure someone out there can provide additional information about both locomotives.